Gov highlights NegOcc’s success in Aussie forum

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. highlighted the development of the province during the two-day Regional Australia-Asia Chambers Forum in Darwin, Australia last week.

The governor spoke to about 250 businessmen from Australia, Cambodia, China, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam Friday last week.

Marañon highlighted the attractiveness of Negros Occidental as a tourism and investment destination, during his 20-minute speech.

He said that one of the province’s key exports is the highly trainable skilled labor, noting a significant growth of a young population in the Philippines and the province.

Marañon, who led the Negrense delegation in the forum, was invited by the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce for his pioneering engagement with the Northern Territory government.

Christine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operation officer, said Marañon also shared the successful engagement of the province with the Northern Territory government.

Negros Occidental’s scope of partnership is diverse and ranges from employment and migration to education, agriculture, trade and investment, the governor said.

He also shared the success of the Filipino athletes, citing the most number of medals they got among the 40 participating countries in the Arafura Games 2019, as of May 1.

The country got 30 gold, 40 silver, and 28 bronze in various sport disciplines, he said.

Arafura Games, an inclusive multi-sport event through which friendship and understanding between competing nations and the Northern Territory is fostered, also showcases unique arts, culture, history, and trade and investment links.

Also part of the delegation were former Governor Rafael Coscolluela, consultant on Investment Promotions of the provincial government, Ma. Lina Sanogal, coordinator of Provincial Planning and Development, and Cristina Orbecido, administrator of Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center, as well as officials from the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).